Ruger Expands AR556 Pistol Line to Include 300 Blackout

To complement their .223/5.56mm AR556 pistols, Ruger now has added a Blackout-caliber half-brother (Photo: Ruger)

Connecticut-based Ruger is adding to their AR556 series pistols with the introduction this week of a model chambered for the popular .300 AAC Blackout cartridge.

While Ruger’s AR556 pistol has only previously been offered in .223/5.56-caliber models, the Blackout variant is new. Using an adjustable SB Tactical SBA3 pistol stabilizing brace and a 10.5-inch barrel, overall length on the 5.8-pound handgun is 27.6-inches. Equipped with a 9-inch aluminum free-float handguard complete with Magpul M-LOK slots, users can install accessories at the 3-, 6-, and 9-o’clock positions.

For those curious on materials, the receivers are 7075-T6 aluminum while the barrel is a cold hammer-forged 4140 chrome-moly steel and the shot peened/pressure tested bolt is machined from 9310 alloy steel. The AR556 pistol sports a hard coat anodized finish overall while the inside diameters of the bolt carrier and gas key are chrome plated. As the pistol is chambered in one of the most popular rounds for use with suppressors, it is a no-brainer that the muzzle is threaded with a 5/8″-24TPI pitch and ships with thread protector.

The pistol comes with a single 30-round metal magazine that as caliber marked, as is the dust cover, to help avoid ammo mix-ups on the range. MSRP is $949.

In contrast, Ruger’s AR556 pistols in .223 ship with a 30-round polymer mag and carry a muzzle device. (Photo: Ruger)